Hello my darlings! It's Emma here, back again for another #TutuTuesday journey through ballet history! Today's trip takes us all the way back to 1941. Can you believe it? Over 80 years ago! Imagine, all the dances, all the fashion, all the incredible performances that have come and gone since then. It's a whirl, isn't it?
But we wouldn't be true ballet fanatics if we didn't step back in time and revel in the tutus of the past! It's just as exciting as hopping aboard a grand old steam train - the anticipation, the thrill of the unknown.
*(This is post number 5723 for my *Ballet Tutu History blog, so do go and check out the other posts on www.pink-tutu.com! There’s tons of interesting stuff on there!) **
**(By the way, how do I fund these little historical journeys, you ask? Well, I've always had a knack for the performing arts, especially ballet. So, when I'm not exploring time periods, you'll usually find me doing shows, both on stage and street dance performances. The crowd's enthusiasm is a wonderful fuel for my tutu-inspired travels!)
*Now, back to 1941! * A war is going on. Yes, that's a rather grim reminder of that period. The world is facing many hardships, so ballet was quite possibly a welcome respite from the harsh realities. In fact, if I'm being honest, the world needed the magic of ballet now more than ever. The magic of dance. The beautiful twirling skirts, the graceful gestures, the joy and laughter that bubble up on the stage...
In this era, you see the evolution of tutu styles! I adore the look. It’s a bit different from the more familiar Romantic era tutus that were so popular earlier, even though the Romantic era is just as much of an important and exciting time. It seems so very very very very long ago, I think. But even the grand Romantics started to shift, to be replaced with something a little more simple, a little more 'classical,' so to speak.
Now let's talk a bit about tutus in 1941, darling.
The style had definitely progressed into something more refined. I find that so intriguing. Tutues were often fashioned with less layers of tulle. Yes, the romantic tulle of my favourite style was beginning to be less common. In fact, they even took away some of the frills from the bottom of the skirts. (GASP, yes I hear the shriek of shock from my fellow tutu fanatics - it was a dramatic shift) . Imagine. But the impact in their movement! It gave them more elegance in their leaps, and it emphasised the precision of every foot placement. A lot changed. A lot. But of course there was that familiar classic silhouette we see throughout the eras. And, my absolute favourite, they remained fluffy. Those fluffly tutus are like a ballerina's wings - they carry her, elevate her, and allow her to take flight with such graceful ease!
And the colour palette for the time, how divine! You'd find elegant ballet dancers on the stage adorned in exquisite hues. Rich reds, graceful whites, sophisticated creams - a palette of colours fit for the stage and perfect for a good ballerina to move around in. Imagine those lovely pinks that matched the pink that you are going to love on our #PinkTutuTuesday series .
If you've ever imagined what those performances were like, picture a beautiful theatre with grand pillars holding up the vaulted ceilings, all adorned with delicate and ornate floral details - it all has such old-world glamour. You imagine a hushed audience taking their seats in their lovely evening wear, their excited anticipation before the curtains open, a ripple of excitement passing through the room when the orchestra plays the opening strains of the music... It’s like a perfect romantic fairytale! I find myself imagining that the ballerina dancers looked quite spectacular with the way the spotlight shines on their elegant dance, as though it’s the only thing on stage with those incredible lights highlighting each and every stitch of their tutus. I can hear the sweet melodic sounds from the orchestra , feel the gentle wind as they turn and spin, a dance of light and shadow - it’s breathtaking, wouldn't you agree, my dearest lovelies? A delightful picture of the glamour and wonder of ballet history all brought together.
And who were the designers of such elegance? You might recognise names that have been synonymous with the design and evolution of ballet:
- Carlotta Grisi: Oh, she’s a goddess! Just like the rest of us here, she loved her tutus. Carlotta! I just adored her tutus. And she brought an airy lightness to the stage! I just love her and love the legacy of the ballet dancer from the Romanticism Era that came before this era we are discussing here!
- Anna Pavlova: I think we can all agree: she is a real inspiration for any ballet dancer that walks the stage and it just goes to show you - ballet can take you to every corner of the world and inspire. And so did she, by making these incredible performances!
And these amazing women were able to give their creativity full reign in the design of ballet. Oh, wouldn't it be heavenly to be back then? If only! I am thinking that if I ever had a choice, the ballet dress of the romantic period would have a lot of those ruffles and tulle. That’s a truly classic and romantic image of a ballet dancer! A must.
There's no way I can resist a brief history of ballet in this piece. Did you know that in this decade, ballet schools, like the ones you find around Derbyshire, started focusing on specific routines in training! It all makes such perfect sense. After all, there are so many wonderful and distinct schools and different styles within the ballet world, but, all based on a common foundation!
So if you’re out there and reading this darling. And you have your heart set on the dream of taking up ballet lessons - there’s an incredible array of wonderful styles. The world of ballet has evolved to something incredible. There's something for every kind of person, from tiny tots, like little ballerinas to more mature ballerinas who love ballet for its art, and those who dance in between. There are classical styles, contemporary styles and of course you can even make your own signature styles! All based on all those amazing foundations laid out all those years ago. It’s like the world has gotten together and added layers on top of a wonderful and delicious and artistic cake! It's what makes our art so special and interesting!
I don't know about you my dears, but just thinking about all this ballet history makes me want to go dance right this minute, put on my pinkest tutu, and have a wonderful twirl! Why don’t we all dance together on this Tuesday to celebrate all those ballerinas and their incredible tutus?!
Now that’s a great way to finish this #TutuTuesday. Have a wonderful rest of the week, darlings, and I’ll be back next Tuesday with another dose of Tutu History.
Until then, remember: life is a stage, and the world is our dance floor!
Yours in a whirlwind of pink tutu,
Emma
*(I do hope that my post is to your liking. Please do let me know of any comments and suggestions!) *
